In response to the West African outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, some Boston hospitals are instructing clinical staff to ask patients as soon as they arrive about their travel histories, and reminding doctors and nurses of the symptoms. But hospital officials say they would be ready to quickly identify the illness and prevent its spread if an infected patient showed up, using protocols and equipment already in place. Deborah Yokoe, associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Michael J. Van Rooyen, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, are quoted.
Researchers have identified three fat cell-specific surface markers that distinguish white from brown and beige adipocytes. C. Ronald Kahn, the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at the Joslin Diabetes Center, is a coauthor of the study.
A new study led by Boston researchers has found that children with combined immunodeficiency, a rare genetic illness known as “bubble boy disease” who received stem cell transplants within 3 1/2 months of birth had the highest rates of survival. Sung-Yun Pai, assistant professor of pediatrics at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, is the lead author of the study.
An estimated one-third of adults are choosing to either cut back on gluten or eliminate it from their diets, saying that it eases digestive distress, boosts energy levels, and reduces inflammation. But now, some health experts are advising caution. Daniel A. Leffler, associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was a guest on The Exchange on New Hampshire Public Radio.
Arianna Huffington authored this piece about the movement to decriminalize marijuana. She cites Anne Blood, assistant professor of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Staci Gruber, associate professor of psychiatry at McLean Hospital.
Two research papers published this month identify possible molecular causes of the degenerative illness called cachexia that researchers hope could lead to potential treatments. Bruce Spiegelman, the Stanley J. Korsmeyer Professor of Cell Biology and Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, led one of the studies. Alfred L. Goldberg, professor of cell biology; Barrett J. Rollins, the Linde Family Professor of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Don S. Dizon, instructor in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital; and Janet Abrahm, professor of medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, are also quoted.
Taking hormone therapy within the first few months or years of menopause offers women no protection against heart disease, a clinical trial conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and elsewhere has found. JoAnn Manson, the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women’s Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is a coauthor on the study. Isaac Schiff, the Joe Vincent Meigs Professor of Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, is also quoted.
Suzanne Koven, assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, authored this piece for The Boston Globe about recent recommendations from the American College of Physicians on when to perform routine pelvic exams.
